Cashmere to Leavenworth Options

These two road rides through the orchards and below the foothills of the Wenatchee Valley are both scenic training rides and enjoyable outings with friends or family. The difference is simply in the speed at which you attack the route. These rides rely on frontage roads bordering our local orchards where the traffic is light. The rides are especially enjoyable in spring when the orchards are in bloom, and in autumn when pears and apples are ready to harvest.

DISTANCE: From the intersection of Division Street and the Sunset Highway in Cashmere, the round trip distance to downtown Leavenworth and back is roughly 30 miles.

ELEVATION GAIN: Unknown but be prepared for quite a few short climbs, the routes undulate over a number of hills.

SKILL. 2 (intermediate)

FITNESS. 2 (intermediate)

TRIP DESCRIPTION:

Note: Distance figures quoted below are all approximate.

Option 1:

–From the intersection of Division Street and the Sunset Highway in downtown Cashmere, ride west out of town. Go 1 mile.

–Right on Goodwin Road. Go 0.4 miles over the river and to Highway 2.

–Left on Highway 2. Go 1.5 miles.

–Right on North Dryden Road. Go 4 miles. The road climbs, twists, and drops. West of Dryden it merges with School Street shortly before hitting Highway 2 again.

–Right on Highway 2. Go 2.5 miles to the Peshastin traffic light.

–Right on Main Street. Go 0.35 miles across the bridge and through town.

–Left on North Road. Go roughly 4.5 miles.

–Left on Highway 209. Go 0.5 miles.

–Right on Highway 2. Go 0.5 miles to reach the center of Leavenworth.

Option 2:

–From the intersection of Division Street and the Sunset Highway in downtown Cashmere, ride west out of town. Go roughly 4 miles (in the last third of this stretch, the Sunset Highway merges and becomes known as Stines Hill Road).

— Fade left on Kinney Road. Go 0.4 miles.

–Right on Pine Flat Loop Road. Go 0.3 miles.

–Straight on Johnson Rd. Go 0.4 miles.

–Straight ahead on Deadman Hill Rd. Go 2.1 miles.

–Left on Highway 2. Go 1.75 miles to the Peshastin traffic light.

–Right on Main Street. Go 0.35 miles across the bridge and through town.

–Left on North Road. Go roughly 4.5 miles.

–Left on Highway 209. Go 0.5 miles.

–Right on Highway 2. Go 0.5 miles to reach the center of Leavenworth.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Information about these two options has been reconstructed from memory and maps, so my distances and names of roads may not be perfect. Please submit corrections to the editor so we can improve this route description.

BUSES: A way to shorten this ride or make it an enjoyable family outing is to bike one leg of the journey, and ride the bus home. Scheduling is often easier if you catch the bus first and bike back to the start. Get the bus schedule by calling 662-1155 or checking www.linktransit.com . As of 4/24/2007, you’ll want to check Route 22 in the direction that you’ll be busing. The bus costs 75 cents and, on average, runs every hour between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays. There’s more service on weekdays and NO Sunday service.

HAZARDS: Most of this ride is along small frontage roads and orchard roads. The shoulders of some of these roads are narrow or non-existent but the traffic is light. Small sections of the route hit Highway 2 where the traffic is heavy and fast but the shoulder is wide.

RECOMMENDED SEASON: Spring, summer fall. Even during the hot months this can be a pleasant ride in early morning or evening.

MAPS: Maps of the Wenatchee Valley published by the local chamber of commerces and by the Wenatchee Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are good complements for orchard rides like this one.

TRIP REPORTER: Andy Dappen, 4/23/07

LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull some noxious weeds along your route, etc.

DISCLAIMER. Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Conditions change and those contributing these reports are volunteers–they may make mistakes or not know all the issues affecting a route. You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your safety. If you won’t accept that responsibility, you are prohibited from using our information.